Where were you on your 21st Birthday?

[Graeme Hutson]

My 21st was on the Cunard 'Sylvania' the day we finally sailed out of Montreal after being stuck there for repairs after she had gone aground in the St. Lawrence. (In Canadian Vickers - they had to ship out a new screw from England). We'd all had a great time as Montreal was hosting the World's Fair that year (1967). After we'd served dinner all the wingers took their water jugs to the Pig and Whistle and filled them with beer and we spent most of the night telling jokes.

[William Gardner]

kinston jamacia had abloke go and get 6 botlels of rum ona bike 3 each side of his cros bar we all got well stonked mate blamed me for getting everone on it had to halt cagoe i said next day you areonly 21 once he said i will let you of with that one happy days

[Dennis McGuckin]

21st was spent in Caracas Bay Curacoa bunkering on our way to New Zealand.
Remember had a case of beer off the 2nd Steward. Tuborg's if my memory correct. Normal allowance was 2/3 cans a day, so he was a decent bloke. I had spent the afternoon swimming and sunbathing ashore in the fenced off area under Captain Morgan's fort. Got a good case of sunstroke and spent the night spewing my heart up why my cobbers drank the booze.
Does anyone remember that fenced off swimming section? Had a hole in it big enough to drive a sub., thu it. Still, another experience on the road of life. Lads I'm going to start a post on a virtual ship. so form an orderly queue. All dept., are welcome. Mike

Mike, I remember it like yesterday. Shark fence.
Scared the hell out of me when I dived down and saw that hole.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Had my 21st three days out of Southampton homeward bound. Was sent to the radio shack to collect a telegram from the family. Some of the cooks made me a cake from mashed spuds with swede for icing and 21 can openers on top. Most of the crew came in at sometime and was so crook next day the lads stood in for me. Like to try it again some day.

John, and you have the nerve to run down my tab nabs that are made with 'pure' extract!!!

[happy daze john in oz]

John, and you have the nerve to run down my tab nabs that are made with 'pure' extract!!!

But the swede and potatoes were the real thign, so were the can openers.

[Shaun Gander]

21st - attending an assessment to join the ambulance service followed by the pub.

18th - Plymouth doing my first sea survival course.

SDG

[Bill Cameron]

my 21st was celebrated in the middle of the Atlantic on the Manchester Regiment enroute to Montreal, chief cook made me a wee cake, chief steward let me buy a case of beer to be shared with the Catering staff

[Evan Lewis]

My first Castle Boat. The Capetown.Castle.. Looking forward to visiting Capetown again,and the famous Delmonicos .
Having only Bunkered there,on one of Runcimans En -route a couple years earlier .to Oz.


Getting near there now .Three of us .New ,young A .B's .lingering in the Messroom ,after tea. Animated , Discussing the Prospects,of 'our Chance of Scoring. ?


Old Paddy ,at another table.listening along.


Said "Don't worry boys,! They all - --- here ,Cep't the Postman and He sells french letters"
First and last time,i'd heard that expression. He wasn't far wrong. Later on though, as it turned out.First evening in . My 21st ,Off we troop,to that Palace of establishments .Delmonicos . The Three of us ,tucked in to the Brandy Squares. Castle lager ,chasers .Cherie Wainer on stage ,playing the theatre organ. Singing along. Great!
Only downside, We didn't seem to attract Any young,ladies,despite attempts by the Turbanned waiter. at our request. ".would they like to join the table?"
End of the night ,wandering along ,some not very busy Street.Saw a dark area ,decided to relieve .against the wall.Similarly, Angus. Turning back to the pavement.A tall Policeman ,said to Terry as we approached, 'I'm taking those two in.'.Might add here. that Terry had ,what was then termed .'A touch of the Tarbrush" This was then at the height of the Apartheid era.
In we go ,Angus and I.
Terry,insisted .He '"come along with us ,for the ride".The tall Constable,duly obliged.
at the Desk ,on arrival. Angus and i were giving details . Terry is sitting on a nearby Bench.
Then bursts into singing "If Id known You were coming ,i'd have baked a Cake".Which
Drew a few raised eyebrows ,from the Desk.

Given the option of ten shilling fine ,Admission of guilt. or ,"Come up before the judge in the morning" gave us the Form to Sign,to pay the ten shillings.Then turned the attention to Terry ,Who was "having a ball," between his bursts of song.

Walked over , and gave Him a similar form. See His jaw drop! No ! no not me ."I only came for the Ride"
Anyway some consolation ,for Him .The rest of the time on the Coast. Terry was able to fraternise ,at will, with the Cape Colored's .

Lost on the Swings ,won on the Round abouts.

[Doc Vernon]

Oh yes
The excitement of the coastal SA Run!
Some hair raising experiences in places like the old Del, Catacoombs, Nav Den, Darryls and the rest.
Times that one will not see again! What a loss!
Cheers

[Dennis McGuckin]

Back to my original post.
In the bay of Biscay, middle of a raging storm.